- ADMIE claims the Crete–Attica interconnection will save €5 billion by 2035.
- Annual ΥΚΩ savings estimated at €400–600 million.
- But Crete still needs 500 MW of backup thermal power.
- Cleaner grid = better air quality + improved reliability for tourism.
- More island interconnections on the way.
In theory, the electrical interconnection between Crete and Attica is the kind of national project that deserves fireworks: cleaner energy, lower bills, and a long-awaited break from the island’s oil-fueled past.
In practice? The chimneys are still smoking — just more politely.
ADMIE’s latest estimates paint a generous picture. The combined “small” and “large” interconnections could deliver €5 billion in savings by 2035, thanks to the drastic reduction in ΥΚΩ charges. Each year, consumers stand to save €400–600 million, money that would otherwise be spent on maintaining isolated, expensive power plants.
The logic is simple: powering Crete with oil costs €480–660 million per year, a figure that rises each year. With the interconnection, those expenses shrink — at least on paper.
A Cleaner Grid, But Not a Free One
Here is where the story becomes less postcard, more fine print.
Even with the new power link, Crete still needs 500 MW of conventional backup capacity, nearly two-thirds of the island’s peak demand. The “temporary” reliance on oil units continues for now, limiting the immediate environmental gains.
Still, the drop in local emissions is significant: the interconnection is estimated to cut 500,000 tons of CO₂ per year, gradually freeing the island from the industrial smell that used to define summer evenings near the power stations.
Why Tourism Should Care
For Crete’s tourism sector — the backbone of the island’s economy — the benefits are far from abstract.
- Fewer power cuts mean fewer complaints from visitors arriving at hotels that have gone dark mid-check-in.
- Cleaner skies make the island’s landscapes (and sunsets) even more iconic for the millions of people who photograph them every year.
- Better air quality supports the region’s branding as a destination for wellness, nature, agritourism, and outdoor experiences.
- More stable energy supply protects restaurants, hostels, villas, and cultural sites that depend on uninterrupted power during high season.
In short: a stronger, greener grid is not only good for residents — it also aligns with Crete’s reputation.
What Comes Next
The connection between Crete and Attica is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The following year will see the full completion of the Western Cyclades link (Santorini, Folegandros, Milos, Serifos), followed by major upgrades in the Dodecanese and Northern Aegean. Each new cable cuts local emissions, reduces costs, and supports the tourism ecosystems that rely on stable infrastructure.
ADMIE already counts the interconnections of Crete and the Northern Cyclades as contributors to the bill relief provided to consumers during the energy crisis. More cables, more stability — fewer diesel engines humming behind some beach you wish had been quieter.
